In the News

The Animal Law Institute recently wrote to the Victorian Minister for Agriculture, the Hon. Jaala Pulford MLC, in respect of footage aired by the ABC at commercial abattoir, Star Poultry Supply in Keysborough, which captures chickens being boiled alive.

Media coverage includes statements from Agriculture Victoria to the effect that a formal cruelty investigation will not be undertaken in respect of the footage at Star Poultry Supply.

The failure by DEDJTR to investigate these allegations under the Act, and lay charges under the Act, in what appear to be blatant contraventions of the cruelty provisions, once again demonstrates why Victoria needs an Independent Office of Animal Welfare with prosecutorial powers. It is a shameful conflict of interest for a department which is entrusted with looking after the interests of agricultural farmers, to also be tasked with enforcing animal welfare laws and regulations.